Costco True Earnings---Chances?

[CollegeStudent530]

My AAOA is about a year.. so I don't know if this even qualifies for American Express. I am not interested in applying soon, especially since I want to garden for a bit longer. My housemates and I spend a good amount as a house each year at Costco, so I was looking into this option. Plus, their reward programs are great for gas 3%.

My stats are below in my signature. Again, I am not interested in applying soon, but I would like some opinions regarding when I should apply for it. My last card, which was the Chase Freedom Visa, was approved in March. I pay in full each month. 

[enharu]

Assuming you have no derogs on file (lates, collections, etc) and an insane number of inquiries, your chances should be very good.

[CollegeStudent530]

Thanks! 

• No derogs
• No excessive inquiries

I plan to apply Dec 2013 or Jan 2014. 

[enharu]

If you utilization is low, you could just go for it right now. I don't see why you will be declined

[jamesdwi]

Don't wait till January, do it in the first half of December want to lock in your 2013 membership date, for maximum back dating goodness on cards after the first. You are probably good to go now, as you have at least one card with 1yr of Age, and no derogs. Or if you want to play it safe go for AMEX PRG with AF waived for the first year. May give you more flexibility in your finances, and makes your AP for the Revolver a SP if not approved.

[creditnocash]

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@kevinnguyen530 wrote:

Thanks! 

• No derogs
• No excessive inquiries

I plan to apply Dec 2013 or Jan 2014. 

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if i were you id app in dec, too lock in the backdate year for 2013, im apping for this card jan 1'st to get the backdated too jan 12'

which for me doesnt really do much too my aaoa, will be around 21 months (as long as i dont open any other accounts) 

[CollegeStudent530]

Hi All,

Thank you for your helpful insights and suggestions. I have two more questions:

• Is it typically hard to get, or easy to get the Costco AMEX version compared to a Capitol One, Discover, or Chase Freedom?
• What do you mean by "backdating"?